Voting

Jul. 23, 2012

Marjorie Barner has her identity checked by election official Karan Benner at the early voting center held in the Digby House in Lafayette on Monday, Oct. 18, 2010. Early voting centers will be open at various locations until election day on Nov. 2, 2010. State lawmakers will vote this year on whether or not to extend Indiana's early voting program. / Journal & Courier

How, where we vote

Voter registration applications are available from a variety of locations. Applications are due 29 days before a primary or general election.

Mail-in forms are available from the Tippecanoe County and West Lafayette public libraries; Lafayette, West Lafayette and Tippecanoe School Corp. offices; Purdue University (Schleman Hall); Ivy Tech Community College (Admissions Office); the county Extension office and township trustee offices.

Forms may be completed at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, the Lafayette and West Lafayette city clerk’s offices and the Voter Registration Office in the Tippecanoe County Office Building, 20 N. Third St., in downtown Lafayette.

After completing the printed online form, mail it to Tippecanoe County Board of Election & Registration, 20 N. Third St., Lafayette, IN 47901.

To register to vote, you must:

• be a citizen of the United States;

• be at least 18 years old on or before the general election date;

• live in your precinct for at least 30 days prior to the next election; and

• not be incarcerated as a result of a criminal conviction.

Voter applications require a voter’s name, residence and mailing address, date of birth, previous registration and signature. One of the following pieces of information also is required — an Indiana driver’s license number or the last four digits of a Social Security number.

Identification required

State law requires Indiana residents to present photo identification before casting a ballot.

Exemptions do exist for the indigent, those with a religious objection to being photographed, and those living in state-licensed facilities that serve as their precinct’s polling place.

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A photo ID must:

• display the voter’s photo;

• display the voter’s name, and the name must conform with the voter registration record;

• display an expiration date and either be current or have expired sometime after the date of the last general election; and

• be issued by the State of Indiana or the U.S. government.

In most cases, an Indiana driver’s license, Indiana photo ID card, U.S. passport, or military ID is sufficient.

A student ID from an Indiana state school may only be used if it meets all of the four criteria above, although some special arrangements are being made to allow Purdue student IDs to be used as long as the voter is a current student. A student ID from a private institution may not be used.

Those who are unwilling or unable to present identification that meets the above requirements are able to cast a provisional ballot, which is valid until 12 p.m. 10 days after the election as long as the necessary documentation is presented or you affirm you are exempt during this time.